US government investigates Stellantis over mysterious engine shutdowns

US government investigates Stellantis over mysterious engine shutdowns

January 15, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – January 15, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating 2019-2020 Jeep Compass SUVs made by Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) whose engines may shut down. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect 228,971 vehicles. 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on December 2, 2022 following 15 complaints of Compass engines shutting down unexpectedly. 

According to the complaints, operators saw a warning message on the dashboard stating “high coolant temperature” or “coolant temperature too high.” After the message appeared, the engine shut down. NHTSA indicates that that the temperature warning is not accurate.

Risks

For more on the risks posed by a sudden loss of power, please visit this RAM recall article.

Other Stellantis recalls

While there have been no recent Jeep Compass recalls, other models made by this manufacturer have been affected by several issues. Just recently, more than 60,000 Gladiators, Wranglers and RAM trucks were recalled over a defective fuel pump.  

You can find out all about the latest Stellantis recalls in this article. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Jeep loss of motive power investigation may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting more than 200,000 vehicles. To do a Jeep recall check to see if your car is currently subject to a recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Stellantis over mysterious engine shutdowns
Stellantis recalls Jeep, RAM vehicles over fuel pump failure, stall risk

Stellantis recalls Jeep, RAM vehicles over fuel pump failure, stall risk

November 2, 2022 Joseph Estabillo , , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – November 2, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Jeep and RAM brands, is recalling 60,413 vehicles over premature failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. This could lead to the vehicle stalling while in traffic, upping the risk of an accident.

The recall comes on the heels of 250 driver complaints and covers the following models: 

  • 2021 – 2022 Jeep Gladiator
  • 2020 – 2022 Jeep Wrangler
  • 2020 – 2022 RAM 1500

Recall summary

The fuel pump moves the fuel from the vehicle’s gas tank to the engine, where it is used for combustion that powers the vehicle’s movement. In the affected vehicles with Jeep fuel pump issues, the pump could fail prematurely. Debris from failed components could get into the fuel system and prevent the fuel from reaching the engine.

This recall applies to vehicles with a 3.0 liter diesel engine.

The component involved in this recall is the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP), with part number 68211269AA.

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the back of “22 customer assistance records, 205 warranty claims, and 33 field reports” received between mid-2020 and late September of 2022. No injuries or accidents have been reported because of the issue.

Recall risks

If the fuel fails to reach the engine, “fuel starvation” will occur. This may result in a loss of power, increasing the chances that the vehicle will crash. 

Warning signs

Drivers may notice the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or the Service Electronic Throttle Control indicator – which looks like a lighting bolt – turning on in the instrument panel. There may also be excessive noise or a fuel leak coming from the HPFP.

 Other Jeep and RAM truck recalls

A number of 2014-2019 RAM 1500s and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs were recalled in June 2022. This recall, which affected 138,645 vehicles in all, was also in response to a defect with the high-pressure fuel pump.

As part of another Fiat Chrysler recall, Stellantis recalled 4,907 RAM pickup trucks in October 2022 over an Engine Control Module (ECM) component that may have been fitted incorrectly. This could cause the vehicle to stall. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect and replace the affected fuel system components free of charge. Stellantis will reimburse owners who paid for repairs prior to the issuance of the recall order.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 60,000 vehicles are affected by this fuel pump recall. To check for other potential Jeep and RAM 1500 recalls on your vehicle, run a Jeep or RAM recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls Jeep, RAM vehicles over fuel pump failure, stall risk
Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler hybrids over power loss

Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler hybrids over power loss

November 1, 2022 Joseph Estabillo ,

Auburn Hills, MI – November 1, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Chrysler and Jeep brands, is recalling 13,722 2022 – 2023 Jeep Wrangler Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) over a problem that could result in the vehicle stalling without warning. This ups the risk of a crash and injury.

Recall summary

Electrical fuses are safety devices that protect equipment against too much electric current. In the event of a power surge or overheating, part of the fuse melts, breaking the circuit. Fuses are especially important in plug-in hybrid vehicles, which use high-voltage batteries.

In the affected vehicles, a fuse in the battery assembly is secured with the wrong fasteners. These fasteners create higher-than-normal electrical resistance, generating heat and potentially causing the fuse to fail. If the fuse fails, the vehicle will lose power to the engine.

The component involved in this recall is the hybrid battery pack assembly, with part number 05193168AH.

Recall risks

Loss of power while driving dramatically augments the risk of a crash.

Warning signs

A Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may turn on in the instrument panel, and the driver may notice a noise coming from the high-voltage battery pack assembly or a change in the vehicle’s drivability.

Other Jeep recalls

In December 2021, Stellantis issued a recall for 2,903 2021-2022 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs on account of a faulty odometer. Without a way to monitor the vehicle’s mileage, owners may miss out on important maintenance schedules.

In June 2022, certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee units were included in a recall issued by Stellantis over a defect with the high-pressure fuel pump. This could increase the chances of the vehicle stalling while in operation, leading to a crash.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the fuse fasteners on the affected vehicles and replace the fuse assembly if necessary. If charring or discoloration is observed, the high-voltage battery pack assembly will be replaced. The remedy will be done free of charge, and Stellantis will reimburse owners who paid for repairs prior to the issuance of the Jeep Wrangler recalls.

Affected owners will be notified on or around December 2, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 13,000 vehicles are affected by these plug-in hybrid electric issues. To check for other potential Jeep and Fiat Chrysler recalls on your vehicle, run a Jeep recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler hybrids over power loss
Stellantis latest recalls affect over 1.1 million cars

Stellantis latest recalls affect over 1.1 million cars

October 17, 2022 Bojan Popic , , ,

Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jee, and RAM brands, has racked up nine recalls in the past six months. In total, more than 1.1 million vehicles have been affected by this. Besides, the recalls, the company is subject to two ongoing investigations by the U.S. government auto safety regulator, which could lead to recalls of additional 1.5 million vehicles.

Read on to see if your vehicle is affected. 

Roll-away SUVs

In March, some Jeep and Dodge SUVs were recalled because they could shift out of Park even when the brake was not applied. This was caused by a faulty ABS unit.  Approximately a quarter of a million vehicles were affected by these Stellantis rollaway issues, including: 

  • 2018 – 2019 Dodge Durango
  • 2018 – 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Trucks with malfunctioning ESC

That same month,  Stellantis also recalled a large batch of RAM trucks and Dodge SUVs over a software issue within the ABS. This might prevent the warning light on the dashboard from illuminating if the car’s electronic stability control (ESC) malfunctions. In total, 370,437 cars had to be recalled because of this, including: 

  • 2019 – 2022 RAM 2500 
  • 2019 – 2022 RAM 3500
  • 2021 – 2022 Dodge Durango 

As of July 25 – the last date for which information is available – roughly half of the vehicles involved still needed to be repaired. To see if your car is affected, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

SUVs with unsecured child car seats

Certain 2021 – 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs were recalled in April because of an issue with child-seat anchorage points on second-row seats. As a result, the child seat could be inadequately secured during a collision, increasing the risk of injury. In total, 4,586 were affected. 

As of July 25 – the last date for which information is available – 2,746 vehicles involved still needed to be repaired. To see if your car is affected, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Tire failure risk recall

An issue with the built-in tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which may keep the system from detecting low tire pressure led to a Stellantis recall that took place in June 2022.

In total, 52,340 cars were affected by this issue, including: 

  • 2022 Chrysler 300
  • 2022 Dodge Challenger
  • 2022 Dodge Charger

Stalling vehicles with diesel engines  

One the heels of the tire pressure recall, over 138,000 Jeep and RAM vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines were recalled over concerns they may stall while driving. The problem was caused by a high-pressure fuel pump, which delivers fuel to the engine.

These Stellantis engine issues affected the following models: 

  • 2014 – 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 
  • 2014 – 2019 RAM 1500  

Malfunctioning rearview cameras

In June, almost 120,000 RAM pickup trucks were recalled because of a software issue that would prevent the rearview image from being displayed.

The following vehicles were affected: 

  • 2022 RAM 1500 
  • 2022 RAM 2500 
  • 2022 RAM 3500 

More recently, in September, Jeep recalled some of its models over a similar software error. This recall affected 7,895 vehicles, including: 

  • 2020 – 2021 Jeep Wrangler 
  • 2020 – 2021 RAM 1500 
  • 2021 Jeep Gladiator 

Issues with lights 

Two separate light issues led to two Stellantis light recalls that affected over 180,000 cars.

In August, a substantial number of Jeep SUVs were recalled because their tail light side markers were damaged and dimmed. In total, 99,186 vehicles were affected by this recall, including: 

  • 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2021 – 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Earlier this month, Stellantis recalled more than 80,000 of their 2017 – 2018 Dodge Journey crossover SUVs. These vehicles were equipped with headlights that turned out to be defective and not bright enough. 

Active investigations

Besides the recalls, the U.S government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) is conducting two separate investigations concerning Stellantis vehicles. 

In one of them, the regulator is trying to find out if the alleged stalling of Chrysler’s PHEV minivans is caused by a manufacturer error. If this results in a recall, it may affect more than 20,000 of the following vehicles: 

  • 2019 – 2021 Chrysler Pacifica  
  • 2019 – 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Earlier model-years of the hybrid were recalled in February 2022 over Stellantis fire risk. 

The other investigation is caused by complaints from Jeep SUV owners regarding unintentional handbrake activating. According to their claims, this would happen even while driving, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. The regulator is checking if this may be caused by water leaks, similar to a recall from 2015. This investigation could lead to a recall, potentially affecting an estimated 1.34 million 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokee SUVs. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

At this moment, Stellantis recalls have affected roughly 1.1 million cars in the past six months. To do a Stellantis recall check and see if yours is affected by any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicStellantis latest recalls affect over 1.1 million cars
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